Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka

This ideal companion breed has its origins in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, Russia. "Tsvetnaya Bolonka" even means "colored lapdog" in Russian. And indeed, these dogs are happiest on their humans' laps!

About this Breed

Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonkas, most commonly referred to as “Bolonki” are small, cheerful little dogs that hail from chilly Russia. But actually, these dogs are not at all well-suited to frigid conditions. In fact, they are tiny little furballs who would much rather curl up on your couch!

While thought to have gone extinct, the Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka was revived and gained new popularity in the 1940’s after the fall of the Iron Curtain. The name translates to “colored lapdog,” because they come in every color under the sun except white. They are happy, friendly, and highly affectionate little dogs that live up to their name as lapdogs. They were bred exclusively to be companion animals, and they are very, very good at it. They make excellent apartment dogs and would actually probably prefer to live in a luxurious studio apartment rather than a sprawling farm. They do very well with other pets and other dogs, and can be very good with children as long as the children are old enough to be taught to handle the dog gently.

Unlike some small dogs, Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonkas are not high strung or yappy. In fact, they are known for being quiet and pretty relaxed little dogs who bark very rarely. Given their beautiful coats and striking colors, Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonkas are treasured as show dogs and are seen at dog shows around the world. While still a relatively rare breed, they are gaining popularity thanks to their cheerful personalities and adorable looks.

Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonkas really love their owners, and won’t do well if left home alone all day while you are at work. If you have your heart set on one and have to go to work every day. it may be a good idea to consider getting a second dog for your Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka to play with during the day. While they are not necessarily “needy” dogs, they were bred after all to be your loving and affectionate companion. So if they are separated from you too much, they may become unhappy.

Height

Male: 9-10in

Female: 9-10in

Weight

Male: 4-11lb

Female: 4-11lb

Fun Fact

Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonkas are often referred to as “the Pride of Russia.” How’s that for an endorsement?

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